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A Transcript of Terror
My first sight of Archelaus Wenlock revealed to me a tall, slim gentleman; smartly dressed, and whose narrow, well-trimmed moustache and Brylcreemed hair - slightly grey at the temples - might have singled him out as an RAF type, but for his open, guileless, eager expression; that mixture of public-school-bred confidence and paternalistic superiority, which seemed to me to have much more of the Guards about it. I was not surprised to learn that he had gone to India with the King's Own Hussars after leaving Oxford.
Perhaps it was my determination not to be cowed that led him eventually to declare that it seemed as though I would be suitable. I learned that I would have my own room and that I could move in right away so that we might begin at once; he would have my belongings sent up from Surrey and his housekeeper, Mrs Fisher, and Mr Miles, his valet, would see to my needs.
It was not all plain sailing, however, as can be seen from the early transcripts and more than once I came close to following in the footsteps of the woman who had left the Major’s study in such high dudgeon.
My role, I was told, would be to remain ensconced in Knightsbridge for the duration, transcribing recorded tapes as they arrived from Austria. I was to be well-paid on top of receiving accommodation and meals.
Some have wondered why I did not simply sit back and enjoy my good fortune. Those people, for the most part, do not know me. That I chose to take advantage of the Major’s own uncertainty regarding his wishes and impose myself upon the expedition might seem to some to have been rather ungrateful: indeed, a number have expressed such a view in print!
Others (the vast majority, I am pleased to note) have asked me what it was about the Wenlock Expedition that made me so determined to be a part of it and I always answer in the same manner: it was so delightfully dotty a prospect, that I simply couldn’t let the opportunity pass. A retired Army Major and his former batman armed with a tape-recorder, enthusiasm and very little else, setting out to unearth the secrets of a former Nazi Scientist in the Austrian Alps? I ask you: who could have resisted?
Perhaps it was my determination not to be cowed that led him eventually to declare that it seemed as though I would be suitable. I learned that I would have my own room and that I could move in right away so that we might begin at once; he would have my belongings sent up from Surrey and his housekeeper, Mrs Fisher, and Mr Miles, his valet, would see to my needs.
It was not all plain sailing, however, as can be seen from the early transcripts and more than once I came close to following in the footsteps of the woman who had left the Major’s study in such high dudgeon.
My role, I was told, would be to remain ensconced in Knightsbridge for the duration, transcribing recorded tapes as they arrived from Austria. I was to be well-paid on top of receiving accommodation and meals.
Some have wondered why I did not simply sit back and enjoy my good fortune. Those people, for the most part, do not know me. That I chose to take advantage of the Major’s own uncertainty regarding his wishes and impose myself upon the expedition might seem to some to have been rather ungrateful: indeed, a number have expressed such a view in print!
Others (the vast majority, I am pleased to note) have asked me what it was about the Wenlock Expedition that made me so determined to be a part of it and I always answer in the same manner: it was so delightfully dotty a prospect, that I simply couldn’t let the opportunity pass. A retired Army Major and his former batman armed with a tape-recorder, enthusiasm and very little else, setting out to unearth the secrets of a former Nazi Scientist in the Austrian Alps? I ask you: who could have resisted?
362 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 14, 2021
The important thing to remember here is, don't take it too seriously. Otherwise you might (for example) start thinking that it's spoiled by the stereotyped characters. Major Archelaus Wenlock, for example - the very definition of a 'Boys Own' hero: a brave and honorable British Officer, who's upper lip is so stiff 'it was probably made of three-ply' (to quote one of the other characters). Or his resourceful but much put upon batman, 'Smiler' Miles. And so on.
Or you could be confused by the original (or possibly eccentric) style of the writing, varying as it does between transcripts from audio tapes (hence the title), extracts from court records. personal diaries, etc. It is not a conventional novel.
But that the point is that it's supposed to be a bit eccentric, full of stereotypes and with the slight flavour of enthusiastic British amateurism: Cruse is having a some fun with the entire genre, and to that end has written an excellent example of a horror story, with particularly good monsters, tons of gore and a bit of weird Nazi science to explain it all - but also with a subtle current of humour flowing through the whole thing. He is, as you might say, Extracting The Michael.
You could, if you wished, ignore that aspect and just take it at face value - it's a great adventure story - but it would be a pity to miss the joke.
Or you could be confused by the original (or possibly eccentric) style of the writing, varying as it does between transcripts from audio tapes (hence the title), extracts from court records. personal diaries, etc. It is not a conventional novel.
But that the point is that it's supposed to be a bit eccentric, full of stereotypes and with the slight flavour of enthusiastic British amateurism: Cruse is having a some fun with the entire genre, and to that end has written an excellent example of a horror story, with particularly good monsters, tons of gore and a bit of weird Nazi science to explain it all - but also with a subtle current of humour flowing through the whole thing. He is, as you might say, Extracting The Michael.
You could, if you wished, ignore that aspect and just take it at face value - it's a great adventure story - but it would be a pity to miss the joke.
Displaying 1 of 1 review